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Laura serves as one of the Assistant Directors in the Office of Career Services at Trinity University, working with faculty, staff, students, employers, and community partners to identify and serve student needs as they move towards their academic and professional futures. She primarily serves the STEM academic areas for coaching and advising while assisting with Center data and assessment initiatives. As an alumna of Trinity, Laura is committed to helping students discover their individual passions and pursue opportunities for career and professional success. She sees her work as coordinating people; she does everything from helping students secure post-graduation plans to coaching professionals on how to use new technologies.
She has a Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration from Vanderbilt Peabody College of Education and is a Gallup-Certified Strengths coach. To bridge her interests in technology, data, and leadership, Laura serves the Chair of the Technology Knowledge Group for the Southern Association of Colleges and Employers. She serves as the alumna advisor for her social sorority, Zeta Chi, and she is the Leadership Academy Chair for the Junior League of San Antonio.
You can connect with Laura on LinkedIn and Twitter.
How did you get into the Career Services profession?
During graduate school, I took a Career Counseling course and wanted to learn more about the advising and research aspects of the profession. I was lucky enough to secure a practicum in Career Services at Nashville State Community College and then a graduate assistant position in the Office of Career & Professional Development at Belmont University.
Through those experiences and mentors, I realized that I could carry out my purpose of pouring into others so that they could go out and make the change that they want to see in our world in the career services profession.
Describe your SoACE Experience. How did you get involved and how has that experience influenced you? (feel free to elaborate on your current role or past roles)
I learned about SoACE through TACE while I was a graduate student. I jumped into my SoACE experience at the 2016 Annual Conference. I was not sure which Knowledge Group (KG) meeting to attend and one of my colleagues encouraged me to try something out that interested me, but that I had no experience in. I walked into the Technology KG meeting and the rest is SoACE history.
Since that first meeting, I have learned an incredible amount about technology in both career services and higher education. I served as the Assistant Chair for the KG and currently serve as its Chair. These wonderful leadership experiences help me carry out my passion and make me a better professional and person. By being a member of SoACE and the Technology KG, I have shaped my career interests and path through the skills and knowledge I gained.
I have also gained an amazing group of colleagues across the entire SoACE organization that I inspire me, support me, give me great questions to mull, and provide great ideas to tackle the challenges of our profession.
What advice do you have for new professionals who aspire to get more involved in the profession?
First, look for people in our profession that are doing things that excite you and ask them to chat about that project and their career. Those individuals may have been in the profession for two years or 18 years, but engaging with topics that excite can serve as a well of inspiration.
Second, set goals for your own professional development in the profession and find an accountability partner for the journey. While doing the work we love all the time is great, do not forget to take some time for yourself and the other areas of your life outside of both your work goals and personal professional development goals.
Third, find a Knowledge Group (KG) that interests you or will help you build knowledge in our profession. Then, ask the KG Chair how you can get involved. And, finally, join the SoACE Slack community! Join one channel. Join all of the channels! It is a great place to find information, conduct informal benchmarking, and connect with incredible people in our profession.
What is your favorite quote?
“This too shall pass.” While it has many beginnings and attributes, my father’s voice always rings true when I think about this quote. It serves as my reminder to remain resilient in challenging times.
What has been your greatest accomplishment to date?
My greatest accomplishment to date is making the leadership and membership of the Technology KG laugh, whether they are truly laughing or laughing out of southern politeness. It is such an honor to be trusted as their KG leader and to have the opportunity to build relationships with them while advocating for what they need in the professional development arena.
What are some of your hobbies when not working?
My hobbies include cooking (there is nothing better than making a great meal for family and friends); taking my dog, Jasper, to the dog park; trying new restaurants with friends (San Antonio restaurant week is a staple in my life); watching any of the movies in the Fast and Furious series; and learning more about CliftonStrengths and Gallup.
